South Korea general, wife accused of forcing soldiers to work as 'slaves'

A group of South Korean soldiers have alleged they worked at a four-star general’s home while facing constant abuse. File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

Aug. 3 (UPI) -- A South Korean four-star general asked to be discharged following accusations of abuse in his household, and a soldier under his supervision may have attempted to commit suicide.

Gen. Park Chan-ju, chief of the South Korean army's second operations command, said he could no longer be active owing to the "remorse I feel for damaging the honor of the army," JoongAng Daily reported Thursday.

According to his former subordinates, Park and his wife preoccupied soldiers with household chores in 2014-15 that went beyond the scope of military service.

At least one soldier was forced to wear an electronic bracelet that would vibrate whenever Park's family members would summon them with bells located in their spacious home.

Soldiers were told to fetch water for Park and his wife, as well as serve meals, including dessert.

Delays in service would be met with threats to send soldiers to unpopular military outposts, or accusations of sluggish performance, according to the Center for Military Human Rights Korea, a government agency.

Physical abuse may have also occurred of soldiers, who lived on a marginal government stipend and toiled in "slave-like" conditions at Park's residence, according to testimony.